The Garden Under Glass

234 THE GARDEN UNDER GLASS recuperation, or whether there is any distinction between the two terms, is a fitting argument for those of a contro-versial turn of mind but is of little practical interest. The Practice Explained On the face of it, it certainly does seem absurd to teach people how to dry off plants, especially as this may be read on a broiling hot day, when the real difficulty is to keep the plants moist enough. But the faet is that there is a very wide misconception of the meaning of the process. A populär error is to understand the drying off to mean that only a small quantity of water is to be given at each watering, whereas it means that the soil should become well dried before water is given. The period between the waterings should be lengthened, but the quantity at one time must not be decreased. Throughout the resting period, have an eye to the bulb, and see that it retains its plumpness and firmness. If allowed to become flabby and spongy the ill effeets will be seen in the flowers of the ensuing season. This, then, is the correct criterion—the plumpness of the bulb. Only sufficient moisture should be given to preserve that plumpness. If this rule be foliowed in the case of those bulbous plants that submit to the treatment, no disaster will arise. A CONTROVERSY AND A COMPROMISE The controversy is as to whether it is advisable to dry some plants off or to keep them slightly moist throughout. This controversy centres round such plants as the cyclamen and the amaryllis, and there is mueh to be said on either side, especially as good results attend either method. Now, rather than keep such plants dust-dry on the one